Grow Up!

Five year olds want to be seven. Seven year olds want to be ten. Teenagers want to be 21 and I just want my decor to Grow Up. Weird huh? I'm not quite sure how one's decor can grow up, but there is something that seems a little, for lack of a better term, young about my home lately. Maybe it's because I have zero money to pour into the decor of our home so everything, and I mean everything, is thrifted. If I'm honest I also have a problem with buying things that I don't really need if they're under $5.00.

I follow Joslyn Taylor of Simple Lovely and if you've ever seen the interior of her home you will completely understand what I am about to say... she is a grown up. In the best possible way. She has this uber cool 70's vibe going with a mass dose of chic. That lady has style out the yang. When I grow up, I want my house to look like Joslyn's. Until then, I'll just drool over her pins and the homes you see here today. Slurp. Slurp.

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 source unknown

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Happy Weekend all you grown ups and kids at heart! xo

top image via the zhush

Mint to Be

I'm sort of in love with all things minty, dusty green. It just seems so fresh and clean right now. Like that minty green color above? Yeah, I'm pretty sure my front door is begging to be painted that hue. Here are a few others currently tugging at my Spring strings.

The hubs and I shot the interior of this amazing Dallas home the other day that stopped me dead in my tracks with it's heavenly aroma. Sueded Tobacco from Aspen Bay's Reserve collection is the scent and the container has this beautiful dusty green luster. So good.

These dining room chairs seen on a House in the Hills. Drooling. They add just the right pop of color in the midst of all that natural wood and stunning white. Don't you think?

Now matter how hot it gets, I'm not giving up my coffee. This mint recipe from How Sweet It Is seems like the perfect refreshing summer drink. It's like Summer's version of Hot Cocoa. 

And if all of that isn't enough to make you swoon, Kirsten of Simply Grove has to go and paint her side table the perfect shade of minty green to brighten things up. I love the contrast with her neutral palette and gold and black blanket.

Are you in love yet?  I could have gone on and added desks, chairs and Jenna Lyon's silky green pants into the mix but I don't want you all thinking I've lost my marbles over a color. But... maybe I have. I feel like that little emoji that has the big goofy grin with the hearts for eyes. Yeah, that's me and mint. How about you? What are you loving right now? xo

door color dollop above via pure home

Easter Hoppenings

When it comes to Easter, I am so behind the 8 ball this year. I have exactly ZERO decorations up. We are preparing for this glorious holiday at church and my bible study, but I want to prepare our hearts through crafting and talking about the reason we celebrate Easter with the boys.  I hope to do a little of that this weekend.

I'm not quite sure how Easter became a holiday of bunnies and chicks when it's really all about the cross and it's saving grace. However, I'll use any cutesy craft, baby bunny and sweet treat necessary to find fun ways to talk with my boys about the new life we have because of Easter and how sweet that gift truly is and always will be.

bunny ears via the house that lars built

 egg hunt signs from world market

bunny basket via mer mag

miffy bunny diy via everything emily | basket in a jar via target

I love so many of these ideas. We'll be doing the basket in a jar for sure and a few washi tape eggs as well. As much as I love finding clever new ways to share truth with my boys, nothing beats a good old fashioned bible and resurrection eggs. How do you share the real meaning of Easter with your littles? 

Hoppy Easter Crafting Weekend - xo

beautiful colorful eggs via handmade charlotte

Clutter Clean-up

Type-As generally stay clear of clutter, while the laid back few tend to overlook such offenses. Right? That's pretty much how it rolls in our house. I have been blessed (and cursed) with both type-A and creative leanings. I love to create, but I can't seem to stop myself from cleaning (picking up as I go) in the midst of the creative process. My husband, on the other hand, is just straight up creative. About the only time he goes type-A on me is when it's time to cut our boys' hair. Otherwise, he steps over messes without missing a beat. And yet, I have somehow managed to allow myself to clutter up our open-shelving in the kitchen. I'm all for "the more the merrier" approach, but sometimes it just gets out of control. Yesterday, hiked up my big-girl panties and cleaned out the clutter.

I packed up the teapots and brought out the milk glass. Packing up a lot of the dishes and serving pieces freed up a lot of space and gave the shelving an instant dose of freshness. Ahhh... I can breath again.

I did a little remix too be bringing in my favorite jars from the living room. They definitely weren't getting the attention they deserved. Now they're front and center. As it should be.

I even managed to create a little coffee section with our beloved espresso machine and mini-biscotti from Trader Joe's. Easy access for our early morning java fixes that are mandatory first thing.

This new clutter free space makes me so happy I could sing. And maybe dance a bit. I might actually want to be back in the kitchen again. The angels are singing... can you hear them? xo

Around the House: Spring Fever

Outside it is completely white. Ice. And as much as I love a good wintery plaid and logs by the fire, I'm ready to spruce things up with bright colors and florals. Aren't you?

 print | colorful cushions (source unknown)

 botanicals | floral print

floral room | floral paper

skateboard | weaving

Saturday in Dallas we enjoyed an 80 degree sunny day. The day before that it was in the high 70's. And now schools are cancelled again due to ice and I'm forced to don my fake fur vests once more. Oh Spring, wherefore art thou Spring? Give me blushed cheeks, floral cushions, buds in vases and color galore. Amen? xo

floral image up top

Around the House: That 70's Vibe

Have you felt it? That subtle pull towards 70's decor? From wall hangings to southwest rugs and prints to cactus and hanging planters, it's all making a comeback. In fact, I'll just go ahead and say, it's back. I can't decide which was the driving force, the handmade movement or the minimalist/modernist movement or both. No matter how it got here, I'm smitten. I love all of it, and want to cram it all into our home, much to my husband's dismay. He would prefer a gentle nod to the 70's with a modern focus.

living room via apartment therapy

lauren and chad's vintage digs via apartment therapy

bedroom via apartment therapy

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Are you feeling it? The brass. The warm woods. The pottery. If rustic undertones and antlers were THE trends for 2013, I think this is where we're headed for 2014. Ya dig? xo

top image via ernests

Thanksgiving Tables

Food. Family. Friends. Thankful Hearts. It's my favorite holiday. Oddly, I never do table decor for Thanksgiving. But that's only because my sister hosts it every year. At first I was a little bitter, because afterall, it is my favorite holiday. But I have come to love this tradition - my sweet sister packs her home with every single friend, neighbor and coworker that is without family. Everyone brings a dish, or in her friend Jodi's case - 7+ homemade pies, and we dine. We spend the entire day together laughing and telling silly stories. The kids do Christmas crafts and wish lists from all the black friday ads my sister has collected. Oh, and we also give my sister and her pie-loving friend Jodi a very hard time for their die-hard tradition of a 4:00 am Black Friday shopping spree complete with mani-pedis in the afternoon.

This year, when I saw the above Shanna Murray plate at West Elm (no longer available sadly), I couldn't help but day dream a little about what my place settings would look like if I were to host this grand meal.  And wouldn't you know it, I got stuck at placemats. With all the amazing choices, how can you not get stuck?

It all starts here - the brown kraft paper (found at your local Dollar Tree) with simple pen and ink:

Then I found these amazing gold dotted placemats at Paper Source:

Then I thought, what if you just bought sheets of wrapping paper and cut them in half? That's when the world of opportunity opened wide:

Or go for a bit more color and a splash of whimsy:

Add to those paper placemats a Thanksgiving Stamp and some lines for thankful lists and it's a win!

Someone please tell me I'm not the only one that daydreams of this stuff. Please? It's just over a week away; are you ready? xo

NEW In the Shop

You guys... I'm so excited to share my new holiday items with you! How about some throw pillows to add a little Christmas joy to your annual decor? You know how I like to change things up with a good throw pillow. It's like an instant makeover for under $50.00.

Also, I'm pretty sure that winter has hit almost everywhere except Texas. If you and your littles are already bundling up in layer after layer (insert jealous grimace here) then a southwestern print knit cowl for your little may be just what's needed to keep the cold at bay. I gotta tell ya, this thing is so cozy I just might make one for myself. Nothing makes me colder than a cold neck and since mine is almost equal in length to a giraffe, I've gotta keep that thing wrapped up.

Are you getting that holiday giddiness yet? Or are you already dreading it? xo

Around the House: Playroom Remix

As my littles grow - and this happens all too quickly these days - I find that I need to make some decor changes along with our life changes. In our playroom we used to have a little Ikea blue "teeny table", as it was dubbed in our house. The last time I gave my littles a good hard look while at said "teeny table" I noticed that my oldest's legs no longer fit underneath it. What?  How could this be? He's eight. Eight! Not eighteen. And this is/was a "kids" table. Clearly it was time for a new table. One that could grow with us!

In a recent trip to Ikea, I found a small white table top in the discounted section for $9.00.  Perfect. Now all I needed were some legs. Sadly, Ikea didn't have the height I needed. I did find some great wooden ones at Home Depot though, for a pretty good price. (More on the table and legs tomorrow.) 

I also noticed that both boys use our fireplace stoop as a table and seating. No. No. No. That just won't work. And PS - I think the main reason for this poor usage is the nearby power outlet. That's generally where their iphone charges. (Before y'all start thinking I've lost my mind, let me just share that the iphone is an old 3-series that belonged to the hubs. It is filled with children's games and nothing more.) It has become quite clear that we need a comfy lounging chair by the fireplace. Luckily, they had one in their bedroom that was used to pile up dirty clothes. And I'm pretty sure that is a poor use of a stunning mid-century modern chair. Not to mention that the actual clothes hamper is a mere 5-10 steps away.

Here's the beauty of all the changes that were made... They are using the table. They are - hold onto your seats - coloring and crafting! And the goodness doesn't stop there. They actually sit in the chair to play on their phone and to READ. Be still my heart. Wonders truly never cease. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, you know you've made some good design/decor changes when the room actually gets used more. Hallelujah. Now that makes for a happy weekend and a very happy home. 

Have you made any changes lately to accommodate your ever growing family? xo

And... We're Open for Business!

Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Why is it that the most exciting moments in life seem to take forever to arrive? After a lot of prep and sewing, the shop is finally up with just a few goodies!

We will be adding a lot more stuff over the new couple of weeks. Now that it's made, there's the shooting, editing, listing, etc. I can't wait to show you guys more!!! Until then, we'll be trick or treating, eating our weight in candy corn and bite-size candy bars, and taking expanding our belts a notch or two. 

I'm looking forward to getting my hands on some peanut butter cups. What's your favorite Halloween Treat? xo